MacKeckny History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsEtymology of MacKecknyWhat does the name MacKeckny mean? On the Scottish west coast, the MacKeckny family was born among the ancient Dalriadan clans. Their name comes from /the personal names Eachan and Eochaidh. The Gaelic form of the name is usually Mac Eachainn, meaning son of Eachan. However, The surnames MacGeachie, MacGeachy, and MacKeachie are derived from the Irish surname Mag Eachaidh, an Ulster variant of Mag Eochadha, which means son of Eochaidh. 1 Early Origins of the MacKeckny familyThe surname MacKeckny was first found in Knoydart, where they were a sept of the MacDonalds, descended from Hector (Gaelic Eachann,) second son of Roderick MacDonald, 3rd of Moydart and Clanranald. 2 Early History of the MacKeckny familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKeckny research. Another 94 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1686, 1694, 1711, 1715, 1745 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacKeckny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. MacKeckny Spelling VariationsIn the Middle Ages, the translation between Gaelic and English was not a highly developed process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and so, an enormous number of spelling variations appear in records of early Scottish names. MacKeckny has appeared as McEachan, McGeachan, McKechnie, McGeachie and many more. Early Notables of the MacKeckny familyAnother 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacKeckny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the MacKeckny family to IrelandSome of the MacKeckny family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. Migration of the MacKeckny familyThese settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The MacKeckny were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: Joseph MaKecky (McGeachie), who arrived in Virginia in 1756; Thomas McKeachie, on record in America in 1797; Thomas McKeachy, who was in Ontario in 1844.
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